By Dr. Nilo A. Hernandez Jr., DDS., DICOI
The cross link and correlation between the body’s main organs like the heart, brain & oral inflammation has been the tipping point of health care for years now. Science is where the rubber hits the road. Oral-systemic health is the most important advancement in health care since the germ theory of the 1800s. It is very clear now that every inflammatory disease is hugely affected by oral inflammation, the No. 1 source of inflammation in humans leading to many and all forms of cancer, heart disease, stroke etc…
Groundbreaking research emerges daily on the importance of oral health and overall health. As we are living longer and the age of the body is
older, living better and healthier allows for a more enjoyable life into the yonder years. Being older and healthier is way more appealing to most than getting old and sickly.
The American Heart Association journal cites groundbreaking research showing the direct connection between oral pathogens (associated with periodontal disease, endodontic lesions, and caries) and acute heart attacks! It tells us that as many as half of the heart attacks are being triggered by oral pathogens. Oral bacteria were found in every thrombus, and 30% had live oral pathogens in the clot.
Dental infection and oral bacteria are associated with development of acute coronary thrombosis; meaning heart disease. Oral health and dental care should be part of heart attack prevention, and even as impacting is post heart attack maintenance.
With more than half million participants, it was shown that periodontal disease is an important risk factor for stroke. Most importantly, it showed that periodontal treatment reduced risk for stroke.
Most of the time, we cannot see inflammation. It does not even hurt. But dental professionals can now test for it. There is a medical need to test for it.
Oral inflammation has a direct effect on three important, measurable, and quantifiable tests that can now be done in the dental office. It has been shown that by reducing oral inflammation with advanced professional care and advanced home care, these three important health factors can often be brought back into the “safe zone”.
Lp-PLA2 (via PLAC® Test)
75% of all heart attacks and most strokes are caused by plaque rupture and blood clots, not the narrowing of arteries.
The PLAC® Test tells us if the arteries around the heart are inflamed, the most important test in assessing risk for heart attack and stroke — often more important than cholesterol testing. The PLAC® Test is cleared by the FDA to evaluate risk for both heart attack and stroke.
Why do we care?
The only known factor to reduce Lp-PLA2 levels is reducing oral inflammation with periodontal treatment. Dental professionals across the country are helping to lower Lp-PLA2 levels back to a safe level with advanced periodontal treatments, thereby playing a key role in reducing risk for heart attack and stroke. The PLAC® Test is becoming one of the most important parts of an advanced inflammatory panel. Dental professionals can now be on the front line.
A1c (Glycated Hemoglobin Levels)
This test tells us how the patient’s blood sugar levels are being regulated. The higher your A1c level, the higher your average blood glucose levels are. Elevated A1c typically occurs in those with diabetes and insulin resistance.
Why do we care?
Periodontal disease and diabetes are directly connected. Ninety-three percent of those with diabetes have periodontal disease. Research now shows us that with advanced periodontal treatment, dental professionals can lower A1c levels as well as most medications without all the terrible side effects. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment improves glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes. Advanced periodontal treatment has also been shown to reduce health complications for patients with diabetes, reducing annual health-care costs by 25%.
hs-CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
Risk for heart attack and stroke increases with elevated CRP levels, as much as with cholesterol and HDL levels. With an elevated hs-CRP, there is infection somewhere in the body, and there is a good chance it’s in the mouth.
Why do we care?
CRP levels can be up to seven times higher in patients with periodontal disease. If you know there is high CRP, you know there is an infection in the body. It is imperative that anyone with high CRP levels be evaluated and treated with advanced periodontal treatment, so the mouth does not become a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Research and experience tell us that diabetic patients with infections have potentially life-threatening health-care complications.
Simplified, these three tests help us determine who is at risk for:
• Heart attacks
• Strokes
• Diabetes
• Other inflammatory diseases
We know what the problem is. By now, the research is obvious. But the missing component — the “secret sauce” — has always been knowing how to put it into effect.
Solution
A new finger stick test called the Heart Smart Screen™ allows dental professionals to determine all three factors of inflammation in our offices.
Innovation always shows up at the right time. The most important components of innovation are the new tools that appear. Most of these new tools are involved in genomics, genetic testing, and advanced inflammatory testing. The new tools trump the old tools.
We now have tools for advanced genetic testing, tools to determine microbial burden, and now perhaps the most important tool: a simple finger stick done in the dental office to determine these three keys to oral inflammation.
With this new Heart Smart Screen, dental professionals can learn more about the health risks and future health of patients than almost any other health-care professional in a patient’s life.
By using the new tools, we can quantify problems.
From this, we:
• Expand our treatment for better care and improve patients’ lives
• Increase revenues and referrals with other health-care professionals
• Stand out in an overcrowded dental market
• Protect ourselves from future malpractice lawsuits
Combinations and co therapy with your medical practitioner will allow you a better quality of life and longevity. Using science, and a few key additional tests will reveal much about you and what can and should be done to prevent future breakdowns.
In addition to the Heart Smart Screening, Oral DNA genetic testing, knowing one’s blood sugar level and maintaining a spotless oral periodontal health is the very best way you can be on your way to happy and healthy for many years to come.
Happy Holidays from the Smilecreator of Naples family to yours…
Smilecreator of Naples
987 High Point Drive Naples, FL 34103
239-564-3100 | smilecreator.com